Former West Ham footballer Said Benrahma has been fined more than £12,000 after his dogs escaped from his home and attacked a golden retriever in the street in Hornchurch, east London, in 2023. The animals, described in court as XL bullies, chased Bailey, the golden retriever owned by Luke Rehbin, and left the dog needing veterinary treatment.

Benrahma appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court by video link from a car in Saudi Arabia, where he now plays for Neom. He admitted two counts of owning dangerously out of character dogs. Prosecutor Rene De Silva said Mr Rehbin was walking Bailey at about 9pm when the dogs ran over and attacked. Mr Rehbin said it was “so hard” to stop the dogs “because of the weight of them and the speed of them”. He added that the incident left him worried Bailey could be attacked again. Adrian England, for Benrahma, argued a side gate to the player’s home had been left open by a worker and that the attack was “out of character” for the dogs.

District Judge Matt Jabbitt fined £5,000 for each attack and ordered Benrahma to pay £2,500 in compensation to Mr Rehbin plus £495 in kennel costs, bringing the total to more than £12,000. The judge said: “You were not responsible for the gate being left open but you have overall responsibility for both dogs.” He added: “I’ve not come across a case before where I’m sentencing someone in the Middle East.” The dogs are now living in France. Benrahma joined West Ham from Brentford in October 2020 and scored 24 goals in 155 appearances for the club. He later moved to Lyon in June 2024 for a fee reported to be £12 million and now plays in the Saudi Pro League for Neom.